Agriculture, Estonia, Legislation, Markets and Companies

The current system works so that when the pig plague is detected in some farm, then the herd and fodder is destroyed, and the owner is compensated the cost up to 100%.

However, other pig farmers, who happen to be in the plague zone with strict restrictions, can also suffer significant financial losses.

"We must be prepared seriously to deal with the swine flu-free farms that are in the strict restrictions zone, which itself have fulfilled all biosafety requirements, but whose economic results will have an impact due to being located in the restricted zone," emphasized Kruuse.

According to the minister, the current system is unfair for businesses and may have a significant impact on rural employment.

The first African swine fever cases in domestic pigs in Estonia were discovered last week in two farms in Viljandi and in one in Valgamaa county. More than 500 pigs were executed.